Punto 16vhead gasket. Easy?

[nigel bickle]

My daughter blew her bloody car up-Punto convertible (natch).Droveit 40 miles with the red light on-engine looked like a grenade had gone off in the bay.Just got the engine swopped-identical 1.4 16v-from a rearended smash,that I saw running.Got a call from the mechanic today to say its in -but blowing steam.He wasnt kidding-creating its own microclimate.Still -itswashed the exhaust out nicely..So-head gasket gone,somehow. Is it a simple job-cos thats all I'm up to at pres.Or do I bite a bigger bullet & get said mechanic to sort?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

If it's the one I'm thinking of from my Fiat days maaaany years ago, they're a bastard. The 75 and 85 cars used the 16v version of the 1242cc motor. The cam cover actually forms the upper cam carrier as well and there are special tools involved. Even doing a cambelt on one is a nightmare. One those you timed the cams up with the slugs halfway down the bores, not at TDC.....this is all remembered vaguely from 12-13 years ago.The 8v FIRE engine was a piece of piss however - a cambelt is literally 40 minutes......Best option might be to get a decent secondhand engine ad drop that in.

[nigel bickle]

Yup- thats what I just did.Seems this lovelyrunner-now needs a Head Gasket.Oh-and its a complete swine to swop out...

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Sounds like one of those cars that just doesn't want fixing. Cars like that make you seriously consider £2000 against a Picanto/Panda.Get it weighed.

[nigel bickle]

If only that was an option.

[M'coli]

I asked about this on a spannering forum I frequent and have received these replies so far:

Re: Punto 16v head gasket.Reply #1 - Aug 22nd, 2009, 6:34pm Quote Not too bad to do but he will need the special tools to re-set the cam timing as the cover is also the cam caps. Its only really a FIRE unit with a trick head on.As always get the head skimmed and fit new bolts. Smiley

Re: Punto 16v head gasket.Reply #2 - Aug 22nd, 2009, 10:15pm Quote Could this be due to water that the original engine may have leaked into the exhaust?Or am i showing my ignorance again Shocked Cheesy Lips Sealed

Re: Punto 16v head gasket.Reply #3 - Aug 23rd, 2009, 6:53pm Quote unfortunately these do blow gaskets and bend heads badly in my experience . im sure the mechanic as diagnosed the car as either having a gasket problem / or water still in exhaust Roll Eyes if it aint losing any water then its most likely water still in exhaust and a blast down the motorway would clear it Wink . two pins hold cams in position ,made my own up Wink Wink

Could this be due to water that the original engine may have leaked into the exhaust?Or am i showing my ignorance again Shocked Cheesy Lips SealedI would of started here first too. Wink

[Volksy]

Did a engine rebuild on a Cing spurting a few years back, engine was well and truly fried. Ended up rebuilding rather than a second hand replacement (long story). smoked and steamed like a bugger afterwards for a while from water and oil in the exhaust.... Cleared after a while, worth trying I guess.

[nigel bickle]

Thanks for that -appreciated.Sadly-its todgered. The amount of steam, running on 2/3/4cylinders makes it an evident fail - feels massive- between 2 cylinders.Oh-and the rapidly pressurised rad/tank confirms.I'm not swopping out AGAIN-thats a complete nightmare. The 'tools' needed cost as much as getting a jobbing Fiat spannerman in -so I guess thats the route . More pennies. Get the wife back on the street corner-evenings...

[peter9000uk]

Fix It Again TomorrowMind you would love a Miafiori SportDad put me off Fiats many moons ago after his 124 & 125 both went tits up.Being a cab though it should be of interest to someone surely?

[nigel bickle]

I'm kinda used to the vagaries of Fiats..Can 'do' a 124 or 125 head quite quickly now-plenty of practice.Somewhere in the depths of the sheds, I've a 124coupe (A), 68 Estate & 4 varying 125's. Oh-and a couple of FSO's-virtually the same-just single cam.But this takes the biscuit-a complete nightmare. 1.4 16v-avoid like the plague.

[Rusty Pelican]

Had a Uno 60 S once , S stood for selecta as in 5 gears ( if you could find the boody things ) god forsaken pile of water soluble rot , bought for a tenner , driven for 3 years , got a tenner of the scrap man when the clutch gave up , bargain.

[fiatdaft]

nigel that should be a 1242cc btw,incase that helps when getting the bits,unless of course you have done an engine swap already?